Method for producing and using novel human defensins as biologically active proteins for treating infections and other diseases

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to the novel peptides, derived from human blood, hBD-5 (human beta-defensin-5), hBD-6, hBD-7, hBD-8, hBD-10, hBD-11, hBD-12, hBD-13, hBD-14, hBD-15, hBD-16, hBD-17, hBD-18, hBD-19, hBD-20, hBD-22, hBD-23, hBD-24, hBD-25, hBD-26, hBD-27, hBD-28, hBD-29, hBD-30, hBD-31 and hBD-32 and their derivatives whose structure was elucidated for the purpose of therapeutic, diagnostic and commercial use as medicaments. The peptides can be prepared by biotechnological, recombinant methods, by chemical synthesis as well as by proteolysis from corresponding precursor proteins.

[0001] The invention relates to peptides of the human defensin type, a method for recovering such peptides in a pure or partially purified form from human and animal body fluids having the capability of preventing bacterial invasion in inflammatory diseases, nucleic acids coding for such peptides, medicaments containing such peptides, and the use of such peptides for the treatment of various diseases.

[0002] These peptides can be recovered, in particular, from hemofiltrate or hemodialysate derived from human and animal blood. These substances have been classified as human defensins and can be used for the purpose of (1) medical and commercial use as a medicament, and (2) analysis of diseases.

[0003] The substances having the short names hBD-5 (human beta-defensin-5), hBD-6, hBD-7, hBD-8, hBD-10, hBD-11, hBD-12, hBD-13, hBD-14, hBD-15, hBD-16, hBD-17, hBD-18, hBD-19, hBD-20, hBD-22, hBD-23, hBD-24, hBD-25, hBD-26, hBD-27, hBD-28, hBD-29, hBD-30, hBD-31 and hBD-32 were first obtained from the hemofiltrate of patients suffering from kidney diseases after ultrafiltration with a hemodialysis apparatus and functionally characterized by an antibacterial inhibition test. For the preparation of the defensin peptides, a patented method (Forssmann 1988; DE 3633707 C1) which had previously been invented for the recovery of proteins from hemofiltrate was refined. From the molecules obtained with this method which have a molecular weight of below 20 kD and are filtered off with a veno-venous or arterio-venous shunt connection, the peptide fractions containing the human defensin peptides can be recognized by a function test. The previously known method was used for recovering the raw peptide extracts with which a strong effect was observed upon application of Lehrer's radial diffusion test in that the growth of bacteria in a culture is strongly inhibited under the influence of this substance.

[0004] Further, it was established that these biological activities could be concentrated in further purification processes until different homogeneous proteins could finally be identified and their structure elucidated. Advantageously, these substances can be purified from the hemofiltrate which was previously considered worthless, to be used as economically utilizable substances. The peptides according to the invention can be obtained by chemical synthesis and by genetic-engineering production, and they can be employed, inter alia, as a pathognomonic diagnostic symptom for the analysis of inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal, respiratory and urogenital tracts as well as other epithelial organs.

[0005] The present invention relates to peptides having the following amino acid sequence;

Z_(N)-C-X_(m)-X₁-X-C-X₂-X_(n)-C-X-X-X-X₃-X_(o)-C-X_(p)-C-C-Z_(C)

[0006] wherein Z_(N) is an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, Z_(c) is an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids;

[0007] X=an arbitrary amino acid;

[0008] X_(m)=3-6 arbitrary amino acids;

[0009] X_(n)=2-3 amino acids;

[0010] X_(o)=5-9 amino acids;

[0011] X_(p)=4-6 amino acids;

[0012] X₁=G, A or P;

[0013] X₂=R, K, W, Q or A;

[0014] X₃=E or H.

[0015] Peptides having the following sequences are especially preferred: (a) hBD-5   Z_(N2)-CRVRGGRCAVLSCLPKEEQIGKCSTRGRKCC-Z_(C2) (b) hBD-6   Z_(N3)-CGYGTARCRKKCRSQEYRIGRCPNTYACC-Z_(C3) (c) hBD-7   Z_(N4)-CRRSEGFCQEYCNYMETQVGYCSKKKDACC-Z_(C4) (d) hBD-8   Z_(N5)-CKLGRGKCRKECLENEKPDGNCRLNFLCC-Z_(C5) (e) hBD-10   Z_(N7)-CHMQQGICRLFFCHSGEKKRGICSDPWNRCC-Z_(C7) (f) hBD-11   Z_(N8)-CERPNGSCRDFCLETEIHVGRCLNSRPCC-Z_(C8) (g) hBD-12   Z_(N9)-CNKLKGTCKNNCGKNEELIALCQKSLKCC-Z_(C9) (h) hBD-13   Z_(N10)-CLNLSGVCRRDVCKVVEDQIGACRRRMKCC-Z_(C10) (i) hBD-14   Z_(N11)-CWGKSGRCRTTCKESEVYYILCKTEAKCC-Z_(C11) (j) hBD-15   Z_(N12)-CWNFRGSCRDECLKNERVYVFCVSGKLCC-Z_(C12) (k) hBD-16   Z_(N13)-CWNNYVQGHCRKICRVNEVPEALCENGRYCC-Z_(C13) (l) hBD-17   Z_(N14)-CWNLYGKCRYRCSKKERVYVYCINNKMCC-Z_(C14) (m) hBD-18   Z_(N15)-CWNRSGHCRKQCKDGEAVKDTCKNLRACC-Z_(C15) (n) hBD-19   Z_(N16)-CLMGLGRCRDHCNVDEKEIQKCKMKKCC-Z_(C16) (o) hBD-20   Z_(N17)-CWMDGHCRLLCKDGEDSIIRCRNRKRCC-Z_(C17) (p) Z_(N)Z_(C)hBD-22   Z_(N19)-CMGNSGICRASCKKNEQPYLYCRNCQSCC-Z_(C19) (q) hBD-23   Z_(N20)-CWKGQGACQTYCTRQETYMHLCPDASLCC-Z_(C20) (r) hBD-24   Z_(N21)-CELYQGMCRNACREYEIQYLTCPNDQKCC-Z_(C21) (s) hBD-25   Z_(N22)-CWIIKGHCRKNCKPGEQVKKPCKNGDYCC-Z_(C22) (t) hBD-26   Z_(N23)-CYYGTGRCRKSCKEIERKKEKCGEKHICC-Z_(C23) (u) hBD-27   Z_(N24)-CLGLPKCWNYRCEPLHLAYAFYCLLPTSCC-Z_(C24) (v) hBD-28   Z_(N25)-CVSNTPGYCRTCCHWGETALFMCNASRKCC-Z_(C25) (w) hBD-29   Z_(N26)-CWKNNVGHCRRRCLDTERYILLCRNKLSCC-Z_(C26) (x) hBD-30    Z_(N27)-CFNKVTGYCRKKCKVGERYEIGCLSGKLCC-Z_(C27) (y) hBD-31    Z_(N28)-CLNDVGICKKKCKPEEMHVKNGWAMCGKQRDCC-Z_(C28) (z) hBD-32    Z_(N29)-CWNFRGSCRDECLKNERVYVFCVSGKLCC-Z_(C29)

[0016] wherein

[0017] Z_(N2) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue IINTLQKYY and its N-terminally truncated fragments;

[0018] Z_(C2) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue RRKK and its C-terminally truncated fragments;

[0019] Z_(N3) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue EFELDRI and its N-terminally truncated fragments;

[0020] Z_(C3) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue LRKWDESLLNRTKP and its C-terminally truncated fragments;

[0021] Z_(N4) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue LKVVD and its N-terminally truncated fragments;

[0022] Z_(C4) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue LH;

[0023] Z_(N5) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue EFAVCES and its N-terminally truncated fragments;

[0024] Z_(C5) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue RQRI and its C-terminally truncated fragments;

[0025] Z_(N7) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue NTI and its N-terminally truncated fragments;

[0026] Z_(C7) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue VSNTDEEGKEKPEMD and its C-terminally truncated fragments;

[0027] Z_(N8) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue GKFKEI and its N-terminally truncated fragments;

[0028] Z_(C8) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue LPLGHQPRIEST and its C-terminally truncated fragments;

[0029] Z_(N9) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue NAFFDEK and its N-terminally truncated fragments;

[0030] Z_(C9) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue RTIQP and its C-terminally truncated fragments;

[0031] Z_(N10) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue DLGPVEGH and its N-terminally truncated fragments;

[0032] Z_(C10) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue RTWWIL and its C-terminally truncated fragments;

[0033] Z_(N11) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue EVMK and its N-terminally truncated fragments;

[0034] Z_(C11) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue VDPKYVPVKPKL and its C-terminally truncated fragments;

[0035] Z_(N12) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue RIET and its N-terminally truncated fragments;

[0036] Z_(C12) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue LKPKDQPHLPQHIKN and its C-terminally truncated fragments;

[0037] Z_(N13) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue TEQLKK and its N-terminally truncated fragments;

[0038] Z_(C13) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue LNIKELEA and its C-terminally truncated fragments;

[0039] Z_(N14) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue TPGGTQR and its N-terminally truncated fragments;

[0040] Z_(C14) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue VKPKYQPKERWWPF and its C-terminally truncated fragments;

[0041] Z_(N15) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue PAYSGEKK and its N-terminally truncated fragments;

[0042] Z_(C15) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue IPSNEDHRRV and its C-terminally truncated fragments;

[0043] Z_(N16) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue FIGLRR and its N-terminally truncated fragments;

[0044] Z_(C16) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue VGPKVVKLIK and its C-terminally truncated fragments;

[0045] Z_(N17) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue VE;

[0046] Z_(C17) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue VPSR and its C-terminally truncated fragments;

[0047] Z_(N19) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue HILR and its N-terminally truncated fragments;

[0048] Z_(C19) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue LQSYMR and its C-terminally truncated fragments;

[0049] Z_(N20) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue EFKR and its N-terminally truncated fragments;

[0050] Z_(C20) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue LSYALK and its C-terminally truncated fragments;

[0051] Z_(N21) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue PWNP and its N-terminally truncated fragments;

[0052] Z_(C21) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue LKLSVK and its C-terminally truncated fragments;

[0053] Z_(N22) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue QKS and its N-terminally truncated fragments;

[0054] Z_(C22) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue IPSNTDS and its C-terminally truncated fragments;

[0055] Z_(N23) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue GWIRR and its N-terminally truncated fragments;

[0056] Z_(C23) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue VPKEKDK and its C-terminally truncated fragments;

[0057] Z_(N24) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue QSS and its N-terminally truncated fragments;

[0058] Z_(C24) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue LE;

[0059] Z_(N25) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue GSK and its N-terminally truncated fragments;

[0060] Z_(C25) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue ISYSFLPK;

[0061] Z_(N26) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue FEPQK and its N-terminally truncated fragments;

[0062] Z_(C26) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue ISIISHEY;

[0063] Z_(N27) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue LKK and its N-terminally truncated fragments;

[0064] Z_(C27) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue ANDEEEK;

[0065] Z_(N28) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue WYVKK and its N-terminally truncated fragments;

[0066] Z_(C28) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue VPADR;

[0067] Z_(N29) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue IET and its N-terminally truncated fragments;

[0068] Z_(C29) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue LK;

[0069] and their cyclic, amidated, acetylated, sulfated, phosphorylated, glycosylated and oxidized derivatives as well as peptide fragments derived from the above described amino acid sequences.

[0070] For the above described novel defensin peptides, the following coding nucleic acid sequences (cDNAs) were found, to which the present invention also relates: (a) hBD-5   ATGAGGATCCATTATCTTCTGTTTGCTTTGCTCTTCCTGTTTTTGGTGCCTGTTCC   AGGTCATGGAGGAATCATAAACACATTACAGAAATATTATTGCAGAGTCAGAGGC   GGCCGGTGTGCTGTGCTCAGCTGCCTTCCAAAGGAGGAACAGATCGGCAAGTGC   TCGACGCGTGGCCGAAAATGCTGCCGAAGAAAGAAA (b) hBD-6   CGAATTTGAATTGGACAGAATATGTGGTTATGGGACTGCCCGTTGCCGGAAGAA   ATGTCGCAGCCAAGAATACAGAATTGGAAGATGTCCCAACACCTATGCATGCTGT   TTGAGAAAATGGGATGAGAGCTTACTGAATCGTACAAAACCC (c) hBD-7   ATTTAAAAGTTGTTGACTGCAGGAGAAGTGAAGGCTTCTGCCAAGAATACTGTAA   TTATATGGAAACACAAGTAGGCTACTGCTCTAAAAAGAAAGACGCCTGCTGTTTA   CATTAAAACTGATGTTGC (d) hBD-8   TTTGCTGTCTGTGAGTCGTGCAAGCTTGGTCGGGGAAAATGCAGGAAGGAGTGC   TTGGAGAATGAGAAGCCCGATGGAAATTGCAGGCTGAACTTTCTCTGCTGCAGA   CAGAGGATC (e) hBD-10   AAATACCATCTGCCGTATGCAGCAAGGGATCTGCAGACTTTTTTTCTGCCATTCT   GGTGAGAAAAAGCGTGACATTTGCTCTGATCCCTGGAATAGGTGTTGCGTATCAA   ATACAGATGAAGAAGGAAAAGAGAAACCAGAGATGGATGGCAGATCTGGGATCT   AAAATATAAGCTCCC (f) hBD-11   AGGGGAGCGGGCTACTCACCTCCAGCCTTTTGTCATCCAGGGGCAAATTCAAGG   AGATCTGTGAACGTCCAAATGGCTCCTGTCGGGACTTTTGCCTCGAAACAGAAAT   CCATGTTGGGAGATGTTTAAATAGCCGACCCTGCTGCCTGCCTCTGGGGCATCA   ACCAAGAATTGAGAGCACTACACCCAAAAAGGAC (g) hBD-12   CTCAAGACCCACCCCAGTCATGAGGACTTTCCCTTTTCTCTTTGCCGTGCTCTTCT   TTCTGACCCCAGCCAAGAATGCATTTTTTGATGAGAAATGCAACAAACTTAAAGG   GACATGCAAGAACAATTGCGGGAAAAATGAAGAACTTATTGCTCTCTGCCAGAA   GTCTCTGAAATGCTGTCGGACCATCCAGCCATGTGGGAGCATTATAGAT (h) hBD-13   GTGATTTGGGTCCTGTGGAAGGTCATTGTCTCAATTTGTCTGGTGTTTGCAGAAG   AGATGTCTGCAAAGTAGTAGAAGATCAAATTGGTGCCTGCCGAAGAAGGATGAA   GTGTTGTAGAACATGGTGGATTTTAATGCCAATTCCAACACCACTTATCATGTCA   GATTATCAAGAACCCCTTAAACATAAGTTGAAA (i) hBD-14   GAAGTCATGAAATGTTGGGGCAAGTCAGGCAGGTGCAGAACAACATGTAAAGAA   AGTGAAGTATACTATATATTATGCAAAACTGAGGCTAAGTGCTGTGTGGATCCCA   AGTATGTACCTGTAAAACCAAAATTAACAGACACAAATACAAGCCTGGAATCAAC   TTCTGCAGTCTGACACCTCTCTTCCAACCTTGAGTCTCAACATCATGGGATCCTG   CAGTTCTAT (j) hBD-15   GCAGGATTGAAACATGTTGGAATTTTCGTGGCTCCTGCCGTGACGAATGCCTGA   AGAATGAAAGGGTCTATGTTTTCTGCGTGAGTGGTAAACTGTGCTGTTTGAAGCC   CAAGGACCAGCCACATTTACCACAGCATATAAAGAAT (k) hBD-16   TGAGGAAGGTAGCATAGTGTGCAGTTCACTGGACCAAAAGCTTTGGCTGCACCT   CTTCTGGAAAGCTGGCCATGGGGTCTTCATGATCATTGCAATTCTGCTGTTCCAG   AAACCCACAGTAACCGAACAACTTAAGAAGTGCTGGAATAACTATGTACAAGGAC   ATTGCAGGAAAATCTGCAGAGTAAATGAAGTGCCTGAGGCACTATGTGAAAATG   GGAGATACTGTTGCCTCAATATCAAGGAACTGGAAGCATGTAAAAAAATTACAAA   GCCACCTCGTCCAAAGCCAGCAACACTTGCACTGACTCTTCAAGACTATGTTACA   ATAATAGAAAATTTCCCAAGCCTGAAGACACAGTCTACA (l) hBD-17   GGACTTGCAGCTTCATTTTGGGCTGCCTTAGCCATGAAGCTCCTTTTGCTGACTT   TGACTGTGCTGCTGCTCTTATCCCAGCTGACTCCAGGTGGCACCCAAAGATGCTG   GAATCTTTATGGCAAATGCCGTTACAGATGCTCCAAGAAGGAAAGAGTCTATGTT   TACTGCATAAATAATAAAATGTGCTGCGTGAAGCCCAAGTACCAGCCAAAAGAAA   GGTGGTGGCCATTT (m) hBD-18   TTCCCAAGGACCATGAAACTCCTGCTGCTGGCTCTTCCTATGCTTGTGCTCCTAC   CCCAAGTGATCCCAGCCTATAGTGGTGAAAAAAAATGCTGGAACAGATCAGGGC   ACTGCAGGAAACAATGCAAAGATGGAGAAGCAGTGAAAGATACATGCAAAAATC   TTCGAGCTTGCTGCATTCCATCCAATGAAGACCACAGGCGAGTTCCTGCGACATC   TCCCACACCCTTGAGTGACTCAACACCAGGAATTATTGATGATATTTTAACAGTAA   GGTTCACGACAGACTACTTTGAAGTAAGCAGCAAGAAAGATATGGTTGAAGAGT   CTGAGGCGGGAAGGGGAACTGAGACCTCTCTTCCAAATGTTCACCATAGCTCA (n) hBD-19   ACCATGAAGCTCCTTTTTCCTATCTTTGCCAGCCTCATGCTACAGTACCAGGTGA   ACACAGAATTTATTGGCTTGAGACGCTGTTTAATGGGTTTGGGGAGATGCAGGG   ATCACTGCAATGTGGATGAAAAAGAGATACAGAAATGCAAGATGAAAAAATGTTG   TGTTGGACCAAAAGTGGTTAAATTGATTAAAAACTACCTACAATATGGAACACCA   AATGTACTTAATGAAGACGTCCAAGAAATGCTAAAACCTGCCAAGAATTCTAGTG   CTGTGATACAAAGAAAACATATTTTATCTGTTCTCCCCCAAATCAAAAGCACTAGC   TTTTTTGCTAATACCAACTTTGTCATCATTCCAAATGCCACCCCTATGAACTCTGC   CACCATCAGCACTATGACCCCAGGACAGATCACATACACTGCTACTTCTACCAAG   AGTAACACCAAAGAAAGCAGAGATTCTGCCACTGCCTCGCCACCACCAGCACCA   CCTCCACCAAACATACTGCCAACACCATCACTGGAGCTAGAGGAAGCAGAAGAG   CAG (o) hBD-20   TAGAGTGTTGGATGGATGGACACTGCCGGTTGTTGTGCAAAGATGGTGAAGACA   GCATCATACGCTGCCGAAATCGTAAACGGTGCTGTGTTCCTAGTCGTTATTTAAC   AATCCAACCAGTAACAATTCATGGAATCCTTGGCTGGACCACTCCTCAGATGTCC   ACAACAGCTCCAAAAATGAAGACAAATATAACTAATAGATAGAAA (p)hBD-22   AGCAAAGCTCATCTCTGCCGTGCTGCAGGGAACCCTATTTCCTTCCCCTGCAGCT   CAGCCACCTCCTCCTCTCAGGTCTGCCAGCCATGAAACTTCTTTACCTGTTTCTTG   CCATCCTTCTGGCCATAGAAGAACCAGTGATATCAGGCAAACGCCACATCCTTCG   ATGCATGGGTAACAGTGGAATTTGTAGGGCCTCTTGCAAAAAGAACGAACAGCC   CTACCTCTATTGCAGAAATTGTCAGTCCTGCTGCCTCCAGTCCTACATGAGGATA   AGCATTTCTGGCAAAGAGGAAAATACCGACTGGTCTTATGAGAAGCAGTGGCCA   AGACTACCT (q) hBD-23   TGAATTCAAACGGTGCTGGAAGGGTCAAGGGGCCTGCCAAACTTACTGCACAAG   GCAAGAAACTTACATGCACCTGTGCCCGGATGCGTCCCTGTGCTGTCTCTCCTAT   GCATTGAAACCTCCACCGGTCCCCAAGCATGAATATGAG (r) hBD-24   CCTTGGAATCCATGTGAGCTTTACCAAGGCATGTGCAGAAACGCCTGCAGAGAA   TATGAAATCCAATACTTAACCTGCCCAAATGATCAAAAGTGCTGCCTGAAACTTTC   TGTGAAAATAACCAGTTCTAAAAATGTGAAGGAGGATTACGACTCTAACTCCAAC   TTGTCAGTTACAAACAGTTCAAGCTACTCTCACATT (s) hBD-25   CCAAAAATCTTGCTGGATCATAAAAGGACACTGCAGGAAAAACTGCAAACCTGGT   GAACAGGTTAAAAAGCCATGTAAAAATGGTGACTATTGCTGCATTCCAAGCAACA   CAGATTCT (t) hBD-26   ATGGATGGATCAGAAGGTGCTATTATGGAACTGGCAGATGCAGGAAATCATGCA   AAGAAATTGAGAGGAAGAAAGAAAAATGTGGGGAAAAACATATTTGCTGTGTCC   CTAAAGAAAAGGATAAACTATCACACATTCACGACCAAAAAGAGACAAGTGAGCT   ATATATC (u) hBD-27   CAATCCTCCTGCCTTGGCCTCCCAAAGTGCTGGAATTATAGGTGTGAGCCACTGC   ACCTGGCCTATGCCTTTTATTGCCTCCTGCCTACCTCCTGCTGTTTGGAATGTGA   AAGCAAGACTGGAGCTCTACCTTGGACTATGAAAAACAAGGACCTCACC (v) hBD-28   GGGTCAAAATGTGTGAGTAACACCCCAGGATACTGCAGGACATGTTGCCACTGG   GGGGAGACAGCATTGTTCATGTGCAACGCTTCCAGAAAATGCTGCATCAGCTACT   CCTTCCTGCCGAAGCCTGACCTACCACAGCTCATCGGTAACCACTGGCAATCAAG   GAGAAGAAACACACAAAGGAAAGACAAGAAGCAACAAACGACCGTAACATCA (w) hBD-29   TTTGAACCCCAAAAATGTTGGAAGAATAATGTAGGACATTGCAGAAGACGATGT   TAGATACTGAAAGGTACATACTTCTTTGTAGGAACAAGCTATCATGCTGCATTTCT   ATAATATCACATGAATATACTCGACGACCAGCATTTCCTGTGATTCACCTAGAGG   ATATAACATTGGATTATAGTGATGTGGACTCTTTTACTGGTTCCCCAGTATCTATG   TTGAATGATCTGATAACATTTGACACAACTAAATTTGGAGAAACCATGACACCTG   AGACCAATACTCCTGAGACTACTATGCCACCATCTGAGGCCACTACTCCCGAGAC   TACTATGCCACCATCTGAGACTGCTACTTCCGAGACTATGCCACCACCTTCTCAG   ACAGCTCTTACTCATAAT (x) hBD-30     CTCAAAAAATGCTTCAATAAAGTAACAGGCTATTGCAGGAAGAAATGCAAG     GTAGGAGAAAGATATGAAATAGGATGTCTAAGTGGGAAATTATGTTGTGCT     AATGATGAAGAAGAGAAAAAACATGTGTCATTTAAGAAGCCACATCAACATT     CTGGTGAGAAGCTGAGTGTGCTGCAGGATTACATCATCTTACCCACCATCA     CCATTTTCACAGTC (y) hBD-31     ATGAAGTCCCTACTGTTCACCCTTGCAGTTTTTATGCTCCTGGCCCAATTGG     TCTCAGGTAATTGGTATGTGAAAAAGTGTCTAAACGACGTTGGAATTTGCAA     GAAGAAGTGCAAACCTGAAGAGATGCATGTAAAGAATGGTTGGGCAATGTG     CGGCAAACAAAGGGACTGCTGTTCCAGCTGACAGACGTGCTAATTATCC     TGTTTTCTGTGTCCAGACAAAGACTACAAGAATTTCAACAGTAACAGCAACA     ACAGCAACAACAACTTTGATGATGACTACTGCTTCGATGTCTTCGATGGCTC     CTACCCCCGTTTCTCCCACTGGT (z) hBD-32     ATTGAAACATGTTGGAATTTTCGTGGCTCCTGCCGTGACGAATGCCTGAAG     AATGAAAGGGTCTATGTTTTCTGCGTGAGTGGTAAACTGTGCTGTTTGAAGC     CCAAGGACCAGCCACATTTACCACAGCATATAAAGAAT

[0071] While the genes of the novel defensin peptides hBD-5, hBD-6, hBD-7, hBD-8, hBD-10, hBD-11, hBD-12 and hBD-13 were found on chromosome 8 by analyzing the corresponding coding nucleotide sequences, the genes of the novel defensin peptides hBD-14, hBD-15, hBD-16, hBD-17, hBD-18, hBD-19, hBD-20, hBD-22, hBD-23, hBD-24, hBD-25, hBD-26, hBD-27, hBD-28, hBD-29, hBD-30, hBD-31 and hBD-32 according to the invention surprisingly could be assigned to chromosome 20.

[0072] Thus, it is a further object of the present invention to provide the novel peptides hBD-5 to hBD-32, which are characterized in that they can be respectively used as a readily obtainable medicament having the biological and therapeutic activity of a natural substance.

[0073] The present invention further provides a preparation method for the peptides according to the invention, and the use of the peptides according to the invention as medicaments for various therapeutic and diagnostic indications. For this purpose, the defensin peptides can be used as highly pure substances or, if sufficient for a particular use, within a partially purified peptide mixture, or as a mixture of several of the highly pure defensin peptides according to the invention.

[0074] The peptides according to the invention can be employed for the treatment of diseases arising from the bacterial colonization of organs.

[0075] The peptides according to the invention can further be employed for the treatment of diseases of the human organism, especially those involving the gastro-intestinal tract, the respiratory paths and the urogenital apparatus.

[0076] In another embodiment of the invention, the peptides according to the invention can be employed for the treatment of diseases of the human organism, especially those involving the integument and its appendage glands.

[0077] The peptides according to the invention can also be employed for the treatment of systemic diseases when there is an overproduction of or deficiency in the defensin peptides, especially by antibodies formed against the defensin peptides, or for use in substitution therapy.

[0078] In another embodiment of the invention, the peptides according to the invention can be employed for the treatment of chronic diseases which are in part associated with the diseases already mentioned by using them in an appropriate form for the treatment.

[0079] The peptides according to the invention can further be employed for the treatment of diseases in an acute stage.

[0080] The peptides according to the invention can be employed for the treatment of fertility disorders, especially in diseases involving oocyte-related spermatic penetration disorders and implantation disorders as well as maturation disorders in the male reproduction apparatus, and as a contraceptive.

[0081] The peptides according to the invention can be employed for the diagnosis of the diseases already mentioned, for example, by preparing antibodies against one or more of the peptides according to the invention or their derivatives or fragments and measuring the blood concentration of one or more of the peptides according to the invention by immunological methods.

[0082] The present invention further relates to various methods for preparing the novel defensin peptides according to the invention or their derivatives, characterized in that they are prepared by prokaryotic or eukaryotic expression and purified by chromatography, and to another method for preparing the defensin peptides or their derivatives by isolating them from human blood by chromatographic methods in a known manner, and finally to a method for preparing the defensin peptides or their derivatives by preparing these defensin peptides by the usual methods of solid-phase and liquid-phase synthesis from the protected amino acids which are contained in the stated sequence, deblocking and purifying it with the usual chromatographic methods.

[0083] The defensin peptides are chemically synthesized and formulated as medicaments. The preparation by genetic engineering using usual vectors has also been established. On this route, the novel defensin peptides are prepared in both (1) prokaryotic and (2) eukaryotic organisms. For this purpose, various expression vectors are available on a routine basis for secretory or direct cytoplasmic expression.

[0084] The medicinal formulations contain one or more of the novel defensin peptides according to the invention or a physiologically acceptable salt of such peptides. The form and composition of the medicaments which contain one or more of the novel defensin peptides depends on the route of administration. The medicaments containing one or more of the novel defensin peptides can be administered parenterally, intranasally, orally and by inhalation. Preferably, these medicaments containing one or more of the novel defensin peptides are packaged with an injection preparation either as a solution or as a lyophilizate for dissolution immediately before use. The medicinal formulations may also contain auxiliary agents which are required for filling, contribute to the solubility, stability or sterility of the medicament or increase the efficiency of uptake into the body.

[0085] The daily dose to be administered of the defensin peptides according to the invention depends on the indication and the use of particular derivatives. For i.v./i.m. injection, it is within a range of from 100 to 1200 units (μg)/day, and for daily subcutaneous injection, it is preferably from 300 to 2400 units (μg)/day.

[0086] The determination of the biological activity for the novel defensin peptides according to the invention is based on measurements against internationally used reference preparations for antibiotic substances.

[0087] The novel defensin peptides hBD-5, hBD-6, hBD-7, hBD-8, hBD-10, hBD-11, hBD-12, hBD-13, hBD-14, hBD-15, hBD-16, hBD-17, hBD-18, hBD-19, hBD-20, hBD-22, hBD-23, hBD-24, hBD-25, hBD-26, hBD-27, hBD-28, hBD-29, hBD-30, hBD-31 and hBD-32 according to the invention are characterized by also being suitable, in particular, for the long-term therapy of infectious diseases, because they have an excellent biological effectiveness and, on the other hand, do not trigger an immune response even in permanent treatment.

[0088] Due to the biological activity of the defensin peptides according to the invention, it is shown that the preparations according to the invention may be further employed as agents for the therapy of infectious diseases of many epithelial organs.

[0089] For determining the activity, the peptides hBD10, hBD17 and hBD19 were tested illustratively for their antimicrobial effects. In a radial diffusion assay, the activities stated in Table 1 could be measured for the peptides against different bacterial strains. In the Table, (+) means the formation of an inhibition halo, and (−) means no formation of an inhibition halo. TABLE 1 hBD10 hBD17 hBD19 Escherichia coil (+) (+) (+) Staphylococcus carnosus (+) (+) (+) Saccharomyces cerevisiae (+) (+) (−)

[0090] For a more precise determination of the antibiotic activity, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the above mentioned defensins was determined by standard methods. The results are stated in Table 2, the MIC values corresponding to concentrations in [μg/ml] (nd=not measured). TABLE 2 hBD10 hBD17 hBD19 Escherichia coli nd nd nd Staphylococcus carnosus <50 <25 <25 Saccharomyces cerevisiae nd nd nd

[0091] Further, structural analyses were performed with hBD16. FIG. 1 shows the NMR structure of hBD16 found in solution.

[0092] The spatial position of the cysteines Cys 6, 15, 29 and 35 shows that the bridging of these positions not necessarily means a structural change which results in a reduction in activity. This could be shown by the comparison of two bridging patterns (FIG. 2).

1 78 1 31 PRT Homo sapiens 1 Cys Arg Val Arg Gly Gly Arg Cys Ala Val Leu Ser Cys Leu Pro Lys 1 5 10 15 Glu Glu Gln Ile Gly Lys Cys Ser Thr Arg Gly Arg Lys Cys Cys 20 25 30 2 29 PRT Homo sapiens 2 Cys Gly Tyr Gly Thr Ala Arg Cys Arg Lys Lys Cys Arg Ser Gln Glu 1 5 10 15 Tyr Arg Ile Gly Arg Cys Pro Asn Thr Tyr Ala Cys Cys 20 25 3 30 PRT Homo sapiens 3 Cys Arg Arg Ser Glu Gly Phe Cys Gln Glu Tyr Cys Asn Tyr Met Glu 1 5 10 15 Thr Gln Val Gly Tyr Cys Ser Lys Lys Lys Asp Ala Cys Cys 20 25 30 4 29 PRT Homo sapiens 4 Cys Lys Leu Gly Arg Gly Lys Cys Arg Lys Glu Cys Leu Glu Asn Glu 1 5 10 15 Lys Pro Asp Gly Asn Cys Arg Leu Asn Phe Leu Cys Cys 20 25 5 31 PRT Homo sapiens 5 Cys His Met Gln Gln Gly Ile Cys Arg Leu Phe Phe Cys His Ser Gly 1 5 10 15 Glu Lys Lys Arg Gly Ile Cys Ser Asp Pro Trp Asn Arg Cys Cys 20 25 30 6 29 PRT Homo sapiens 6 Cys Glu Arg Pro Asn Gly Ser Cys Arg Asp Phe Cys Leu Glu Thr Glu 1 5 10 15 Ile His Val Gly Arg Cys Leu Asn Ser Arg Pro Cys Cys 20 25 7 29 PRT Homo sapiens 7 Cys Asn Lys Leu Lys Gly Thr Cys Lys Asn Asn Cys Gly Lys Asn Glu 1 5 10 15 Glu Leu Ile Ala Leu Cys Gln Lys Ser Leu Lys Cys Cys 20 25 8 30 PRT Homo sapiens 8 Cys Leu Asn Leu Ser Gly Val Cys Arg Arg Asp Val Cys Lys Val Val 1 5 10 15 Glu Asp Gln Ile Gly Ala Cys Arg Arg Arg Met Lys Cys Cys 20 25 30 9 29 PRT Homo sapiens 9 Cys Trp Gly Lys Ser Gly Arg Cys Arg Thr Thr Cys Lys Glu Ser Glu 1 5 10 15 Val Tyr Tyr Ile Leu Cys Lys Thr Glu Ala Lys Cys Cys 20 25 10 29 PRT Homo sapiens 10 Cys Trp Asn Phe Arg Gly Ser Cys Arg Asp Glu Cys Leu Lys Asn Glu 1 5 10 15 Arg Val Tyr Val Phe Cys Val Ser Gly Lys Leu Cys Cys 20 25 11 31 PRT Homo sapiens 11 Cys Trp Asn Asn Tyr Val Gln Gly His Cys Arg Lys Ile Cys Arg Val 1 5 10 15 Asn Glu Val Pro Glu Ala Leu Cys Glu Asn Gly Arg Tyr Cys Cys 20 25 30 12 29 PRT Homo sapiens 12 Cys Trp Asn Leu Tyr Gly Lys Cys Arg Tyr Arg Cys Ser Lys Lys Glu 1 5 10 15 Arg Val Tyr Val Tyr Cys Ile Asn Asn Lys Met Cys Cys 20 25 13 29 PRT Homo sapiens 13 Cys Trp Asn Arg Ser Gly His Cys Arg Lys Gln Cys Lys Asp Gly Glu 1 5 10 15 Ala Val Lys Asp Thr Cys Lys Asn Leu Arg Ala Cys Cys 20 25 14 28 PRT Homo sapiens 14 Cys Leu Met Gly Leu Gly Arg Cys Arg Asp His Cys Asn Val Asp Glu 1 5 10 15 Lys Glu Ile Gln Lys Cys Lys Met Lys Lys Cys Cys 20 25 15 28 PRT Homo sapiens 15 Cys Trp Met Asp Gly His Cys Arg Leu Leu Cys Lys Asp Gly Glu Asp 1 5 10 15 Ser Ile Ile Arg Cys Arg Asn Arg Lys Arg Cys Cys 20 25 16 29 PRT Homo sapiens 16 Cys Met Gly Asn Ser Gly Ile Cys Arg Ala Ser Cys Lys Lys Asn Glu 1 5 10 15 Gln Pro Tyr Leu Tyr Cys Arg Asn Cys Gln Ser Cys Cys 20 25 17 29 PRT Homo sapiens 17 Cys Trp Lys Gly Gln Gly Ala Cys Gln Thr Tyr Cys Thr Arg Gln Glu 1 5 10 15 Thr Tyr Met His Leu Cys Pro Asp Ala Ser Leu Cys Cys 20 25 18 29 PRT Homo sapiens 18 Cys Glu Leu Tyr Gln Gly Met Cys Arg Asn Ala Cys Arg Glu Tyr Glu 1 5 10 15 Ile Gln Tyr Leu Thr Cys Pro Asn Asp Gln Lys Cys Cys 20 25 19 29 PRT Homo sapiens 19 Cys Trp Ile Ile Lys Gly His Cys Arg Lys Asn Cys Lys Pro Gly Glu 1 5 10 15 Gln Val Lys Lys Pro Cys Lys Asn Gly Asp Tyr Cys Cys 20 25 20 29 PRT Homo sapiens 20 Cys Tyr Tyr Gly Thr Gly Arg Cys Arg Lys Ser Cys Lys Glu Ile Glu 1 5 10 15 Arg Lys Lys Glu Lys Cys Gly Glu Lys His Ile Cys Cys 20 25 21 30 PRT Homo sapiens 21 Cys Leu Gly Leu Pro Lys Cys Trp Asn Tyr Arg Cys Glu Pro Leu His 1 5 10 15 Leu Ala Tyr Ala Phe Tyr Cys Leu Leu Pro Thr Ser Cys Cys 20 25 30 22 30 PRT Homo sapiens 22 Cys Val Ser Asn Thr Pro Gly Tyr Cys Arg Thr Cys Cys His Trp Gly 1 5 10 15 Glu Thr Ala Leu Phe Met Cys Asn Ala Ser Arg Lys Cys Cys 20 25 30 23 30 PRT Homo sapiens 23 Cys Trp Lys Asn Asn Val Gly His Cys Arg Arg Arg Cys Leu Asp Thr 1 5 10 15 Glu Arg Tyr Ile Leu Leu Cys Arg Asn Lys Leu Ser Cys Cys 20 25 30 24 30 PRT Homo sapiens 24 Cys Phe Asn Lys Val Thr Gly Tyr Cys Arg Lys Lys Cys Lys Val Gly 1 5 10 15 Glu Arg Tyr Glu Ile Gly Cys Leu Ser Gly Lys Leu Cys Cys 20 25 30 25 33 PRT Homo sapiens 25 Cys Leu Asn Asp Val Gly Ile Cys Lys Lys Lys Cys Lys Pro Glu Glu 1 5 10 15 Met His Val Lys Asn Gly Trp Ala Met Cys Gly Lys Gln Arg Asp Cys 20 25 30 Cys 26 29 PRT Homo sapiens 26 Cys Trp Asn Phe Arg Gly Ser Cys Arg Asp Glu Cys Leu Lys Asn Glu 1 5 10 15 Arg Val Tyr Val Phe Cys Val Ser Gly Lys Leu Cys Cys 20 25 27 44 PRT Homo sapiens 27 Ile Ile Asn Thr Leu Gln Lys Tyr Tyr Cys Arg Val Arg Gly Gly Arg 1 5 10 15 Cys Ala Val Leu Ser Cys Leu Pro Lys Glu Glu Gln Ile Gly Lys Cys 20 25 30 Ser Thr Arg Gly Arg Lys Cys Cys Arg Arg Lys Lys 35 40 28 50 PRT Homo sapiens 28 Glu Phe Glu Leu Asp Arg Ile Cys Gly Tyr Gly Thr Ala Arg Cys Arg 1 5 10 15 Lys Lys Cys Arg Ser Gln Glu Tyr Arg Ile Gly Arg Cys Pro Asn Thr 20 25 30 Tyr Ala Cys Cys Leu Arg Lys Trp Asp Glu Ser Leu Leu Asn Arg Thr 35 40 45 Lys Pro 50 29 37 PRT Homo sapiens 29 Leu Lys Val Val Asp Cys Arg Arg Ser Glu Gly Phe Cys Gln Glu Tyr 1 5 10 15 Cys Asn Tyr Met Glu Thr Gln Val Gly Tyr Cys Ser Lys Lys Lys Asp 20 25 30 Ala Cys Cys Leu His 35 30 40 PRT Homo sapiens 30 Glu Phe Ala Val Cys Glu Ser Cys Lys Leu Gly Arg Gly Lys Cys Arg 1 5 10 15 Lys Glu Cys Leu Glu Asn Glu Lys Pro Asp Gly Asn Cys Arg Leu Asn 20 25 30 Phe Leu Cys Cys Arg Gln Arg Ile 35 40 31 49 PRT Homo sapiens 31 Asn Thr Ile Cys His Met Gln Gln Gly Ile Cys Arg Leu Phe Phe Cys 1 5 10 15 His Ser Gly Glu Lys Lys Arg Gly Ile Cys Ser Asp Pro Trp Asn Arg 20 25 30 Cys Cys Val Ser Asn Thr Asp Glu Glu Gly Lys Glu Lys Pro Glu Met 35 40 45 Asp 32 47 PRT Homo sapiens 32 Gly Lys Phe Lys Glu Ile Cys Glu Arg Pro Asn Gly Ser Cys Arg Asp 1 5 10 15 Phe Cys Leu Glu Thr Glu Ile His Val Gly Arg Cys Leu Asn Ser Arg 20 25 30 Pro Cys Cys Leu Pro Leu Gly His Gln Pro Arg Ile Glu Ser Thr 35 40 45 33 41 PRT Homo sapiens 33 Asn Ala Phe Phe Asp Glu Lys Cys Asn Lys Leu Lys Gly Thr Cys Lys 1 5 10 15 Asn Asn Cys Gly Lys Asn Glu Glu Leu Ile Ala Leu Cys Gln Lys Ser 20 25 30 Leu Lys Cys Cys Arg Thr Ile Gln Pro 35 40 34 44 PRT Homo sapiens 34 Asp Leu Gly Pro Val Glu Gly His Cys Leu Asn Leu Ser Gly Val Cys 1 5 10 15 Arg Arg Asp Val Cys Lys Val Val Glu Asp Gln Ile Gly Ala Cys Arg 20 25 30 Arg Arg Met Lys Cys Cys Arg Thr Trp Trp Ile Leu 35 40 35 45 PRT Homo sapiens 35 Glu Val Met Lys Cys Trp Gly Lys Ser Gly Arg Cys Arg Thr Thr Cys 1 5 10 15 Lys Glu Ser Glu Val Tyr Tyr Ile Leu Cys Lys Thr Glu Ala Lys Cys 20 25 30 Cys Val Asp Pro Lys Tyr Val Pro Val Lys Pro Lys Leu 35 40 45 36 48 PRT Homo sapiens 36 Arg Ile Glu Thr Cys Trp Asn Phe Arg Gly Ser Cys Arg Asp Glu Cys 1 5 10 15 Leu Lys Asn Glu Arg Val Tyr Val Phe Cys Val Ser Gly Lys Leu Cys 20 25 30 Cys Leu Lys Pro Lys Asp Gln Pro His Leu Pro Gln His Ile Lys Asn 35 40 45 37 45 PRT Homo sapiens 37 Thr Glu Gln Leu Lys Lys Cys Trp Asn Asn Tyr Val Gln Gly His Cys 1 5 10 15 Arg Lys Ile Cys Arg Val Asn Glu Val Pro Glu Ala Leu Cys Glu Asn 20 25 30 Gly Arg Tyr Cys Cys Leu Asn Ile Lys Glu Leu Glu Ala 35 40 45 38 50 PRT Homo sapiens 38 Thr Pro Gly Gly Thr Gln Arg Cys Trp Asn Leu Tyr Gly Lys Cys Arg 1 5 10 15 Tyr Arg Cys Ser Lys Lys Glu Arg Val Tyr Val Tyr Cys Ile Asn Asn 20 25 30 Lys Met Cys Cys Val Lys Pro Lys Tyr Gln Pro Lys Glu Arg Trp Trp 35 40 45 Pro Phe 50 39 47 PRT Homo sapiens 39 Pro Ala Tyr Ser Gly Glu Lys Lys Cys Trp Asn Arg Ser Gly His Cys 1 5 10 15 Arg Lys Gln Cys Lys Asp Gly Glu Ala Val Lys Asp Thr Cys Lys Asn 20 25 30 Leu Arg Ala Cys Cys Ile Pro Ser Asn Glu Asp His Arg Arg Val 35 40 45 40 44 PRT Homo sapiens 40 Phe Ile Gly Leu Arg Arg Cys Leu Met Gly Leu Gly Arg Cys Arg Asp 1 5 10 15 His Cys Asn Val Asp Glu Lys Glu Ile Gln Lys Cys Lys Met Lys Lys 20 25 30 Cys Cys Val Gly Pro Lys Val Val Lys Leu Ile Lys 35 40 41 34 PRT Homo sapiens 41 Val Glu Cys Trp Met Asp Gly His Cys Arg Leu Leu Cys Lys Asp Gly 1 5 10 15 Glu Asp Ser Ile Ile Arg Cys Arg Asn Arg Lys Arg Cys Cys Val Pro 20 25 30 Ser Arg 42 39 PRT Homo sapiens 42 His Ile Leu Arg Cys Met Gly Asn Ser Gly Ile Cys Arg Ala Ser Cys 1 5 10 15 Lys Lys Asn Glu Gln Pro Tyr Leu Tyr Cys Arg Asn Cys Gln Ser Cys 20 25 30 Cys Leu Gln Ser Tyr Met Arg 35 43 39 PRT Homo sapiens 43 Glu Phe Lys Arg Cys Trp Lys Gly Gln Gly Ala Cys Gln Thr Tyr Cys 1 5 10 15 Thr Arg Gln Glu Thr Tyr Met His Leu Cys Pro Asp Ala Ser Leu Cys 20 25 30 Cys Leu Ser Tyr Ala Leu Lys 35 44 39 PRT Homo sapiens 44 Pro Trp Asn Pro Cys Glu Leu Tyr Gln Gly Met Cys Arg Asn Ala Cys 1 5 10 15 Arg Glu Tyr Glu Ile Gln Tyr Leu Thr Cys Pro Asn Asp Gln Lys Cys 20 25 30 Cys Leu Lys Leu Ser Val Lys 35 45 39 PRT Homo sapiens 45 Gln Lys Ser Cys Trp Ile Ile Lys Gly His Cys Arg Lys Asn Cys Lys 1 5 10 15 Pro Gly Glu Gln Val Lys Lys Pro Cys Lys Asn Gly Asp Tyr Cys Cys 20 25 30 Ile Pro Ser Asn Thr Asp Ser 35 46 41 PRT Homo sapiens 46 Gly Trp Ile Arg Arg Cys Tyr Tyr Gly Thr Gly Arg Cys Arg Lys Ser 1 5 10 15 Cys Lys Glu Ile Glu Arg Lys Lys Glu Lys Cys Gly Glu Lys His Ile 20 25 30 Cys Cys Val Pro Lys Glu Lys Asp Lys 35 40 47 35 PRT Homo sapiens 47 Gln Ser Ser Cys Leu Gly Leu Pro Lys Cys Trp Asn Tyr Arg Cys Glu 1 5 10 15 Pro Leu His Leu Ala Tyr Ala Phe Tyr Cys Leu Leu Pro Thr Ser Cys 20 25 30 Cys Leu Glu 35 48 41 PRT Homo sapiens 48 Gly Ser Lys Cys Val Ser Asn Thr Pro Gly Tyr Cys Arg Thr Cys Cys 1 5 10 15 His Trp Gly Glu Thr Ala Leu Phe Met Cys Asn Ala Ser Arg Lys Cys 20 25 30 Cys Ile Ser Tyr Ser Phe Leu Pro Lys 35 40 49 43 PRT Homo sapiens 49 Phe Glu Pro Gln Lys Cys Trp Lys Asn Asn Val Gly His Cys Arg Arg 1 5 10 15 Arg Cys Leu Asp Thr Glu Arg Tyr Ile Leu Leu Cys Arg Asn Lys Leu 20 25 30 Ser Cys Cys Ile Ser Ile Ile Ser His Glu Tyr 35 40 50 40 PRT Homo sapiens 50 Leu Lys Lys Cys Phe Asn Lys Val Thr Gly Tyr Cys Arg Lys Lys Cys 1 5 10 15 Lys Val Gly Glu Arg Tyr Glu Ile Gly Cys Leu Ser Gly Lys Leu Cys 20 25 30 Cys Ala Asn Asp Glu Glu Glu Lys 35 40 51 43 PRT Homo sapiens 51 Trp Tyr Val Lys Lys Cys Leu Asn Asp Val Gly Ile Cys Lys Lys Lys 1 5 10 15 Cys Lys Pro Glu Glu Met His Val Lys Asn Gly Trp Ala Met Cys Gly 20 25 30 Lys Gln Arg Asp Cys Cys Val Pro Ala Asp Arg 35 40 52 34 PRT Homo sapiens 52 Ile Glu Thr Cys Trp Asn Phe Arg Gly Ser Cys Arg Asp Glu Cys Leu 1 5 10 15 Lys Asn Glu Arg Val Tyr Val Phe Cys Val Ser Gly Lys Leu Cys Cys 20 25 30 Leu Lys 53 201 DNA Homo sapiens 53 atgaggatcc attatcttct gtttgctttg ctcttcctgt ttttggtgcc tgttccaggt 60 catggaggaa tcataaacac attacagaaa tattattgca gagtcagagg cggccggtgt 120 gctgtgctca gctgccttcc aaaggaggaa cagatcggca agtgctcgac gcgtggccga 180 aaatgctgcc gaagaaagaa a 201 54 151 DNA Homo sapiens 54 cgaatttgaa ttggacagaa tatgtggtta tgggactgcc cgttgccgga agaaatgtcg 60 cagccaagaa tacagaattg gaagatgtcc caacacctat gcatgctgtt tgagaaaatg 120 ggatgagagc ttactgaatc gtacaaaacc c 151 55 128 DNA Homo sapiens 55 atttaaaagt tgttgactgc aggagaagtg aaggcttctg ccaagaatac tgtaattata 60 tggaaacaca agtaggctac tgctctaaaa agaaagacgc ctgctgttta cattaaaact 120 gatgttgc 128 56 117 DNA Homo sapiens 56 tttgctgtct gtgagtcgtg caagcttggt cggggaaaat gcaggaagga gtgcttggag 60 aatgagaagc ccgatggaaa ttgcaggctg aactttctct gctgcagaca gaggatc 117 57 179 DNA Homo sapiens 57 aaataccatc tgccgtatgc agcaagggat ctgcagactt tttttctgcc attctggtga 60 gaaaaagcgt gacatttgct ctgatccctg gaataggtgt tgcgtatcaa atacagatga 120 agaaggaaaa gagaaaccag agatggatgg cagatctggg atctaaaata taagctccc 179 58 197 DNA Homo sapiens 58 aggggagcgg gctactcacc tccagccttt tgtcatccag gggcaaattc aaggagatct 60 gtgaacgtcc aaatggctcc tgtcgggact tttgcctcga aacagaaatc catgttggga 120 gatgtttaaa tagccgaccc tgctgcctgc ctctggggca tcaaccaaga attgagagca 180 ctacacccaa aaaggac 197 59 214 DNA Homo sapiens 59 ctcaagaccc accccagtca tgaggacttt cccttttctc tttgccgtgc tcttctttct 60 gaccccagcc aagaatgcat tttttgatga gaaatgcaac aaacttaaag ggacatgcaa 120 gaacaattgc gggaaaaatg aagaacttat tgctctctgc cagaagtctc tgaaatgctg 180 tcggaccatc cagccatgtg ggagcattat agat 214 60 197 DNA Homo sapiens 60 gtgatttggg tcctgtggaa ggtcattgtc tcaatttgtc tggtgtttgc agaagagatg 60 tctgcaaagt agtagaagat caaattggtg cctgccgaag aaggatgaag tgttgtagaa 120 catggtggat tttaatgcca attccaacac cacttatcat gtcagattat caagaacccc 180 ttaaacataa gttgaaa 197 61 228 DNA Homo sapiens 61 gaagtcatga aatgttgggg caagtcaggc aggtgcagaa caacatgtaa agaaagtgaa 60 gtatactata tattatgcaa aactgaggct aagtgctgtg tggatcccaa gtatgtacct 120 gtaaaaccaa aattaacaga cacaaataca agcctggaat caacttctgc agtctgacac 180 ctctcttcca accttgagtc tcaacatcat gggatcctgc agttctat 228 62 146 DNA Homo sapiens 62 gcaggattga aacatgttgg aattttcgtg gctcctgccg tgacgaatgc ctgaagaatg 60 aaagggtcta tgttttctgc gtgagtggta aactgtgctg tttgaagccc aaggaccagc 120 cacatttacc acagcatata aagaat 146 63 367 DNA Homo sapiens 63 tgaggaaggt agcatagtgt gcagttcact ggaccaaaag ctttggctgc acctcttctg 60 gaaagctggc catggggtct tcatgatcat tgcaattctg ctgttccaga aacccacagt 120 aaccgaacaa cttaagaagt gctggaataa ctatgtacaa ggacattgca ggaaaatctg 180 cagagtaaat gaagtgcctg aggcactatg tgaaaatggg agatactgtt gcctcaatat 240 caaggaactg gaagcatgta aaaaaattac aaagccacct cgtccaaagc cagcaacact 300 tgcactgact cttcaagact atgttacaat aatagaaaat ttcccaagcc tgaagacaca 360 gtctaca 367 64 234 DNA Homo sapiens 64 ggacttgcag cttcattttg ggctgcctta gccatgaagc tccttttgct gactttgact 60 gtgctgctgc tcttatccca gctgactcca ggtggcaccc aaagatgctg gaatctttat 120 ggcaaatgcc gttacagatg ctccaagaag gaaagagtct atgtttactg cataaataat 180 aaaatgtgct gcgtgaagcc caagtaccag ccaaaagaaa ggtggtggcc attt 234 65 381 DNA Homo sapiens 65 ttcccaagga ccatgaaact cctgctgctg gctcttccta tgcttgtgct cctaccccaa 60 gtgatcccag cctatagtgg tgaaaaaaaa tgctggaaca gatcagggca ctgcaggaaa 120 caatgcaaag atggagaagc agtgaaagat acatgcaaaa atcttcgagc ttgctgcatt 180 ccatccaatg aagaccacag gcgagttcct gcgacatctc ccacaccctt gagtgactca 240 acaccaggaa ttattgatga tattttaaca gtaaggttca cgacagacta ctttgaagta 300 agcagcaaga aagatatggt tgaagagtct gaggcgggaa ggggaactga gacctctctt 360 ccaaatgttc accatagctc a 381 66 552 DNA Homo sapiens 66 accatgaagc tcctttttcc tatctttgcc agcctcatgc tacagtacca ggtgaacaca 60 gaatttattg gcttgagacg ctgtttaatg ggtttgggga gatgcaggga tcactgcaat 120 gtggatgaaa aagagataca gaaatgcaag atgaaaaaat gttgtgttgg accaaaagtg 180 gttaaattga ttaaaaacta cctacaatat ggaacaccaa atgtacttaa tgaagacgtc 240 caagaaatgc taaaacctgc caagaattct agtgctgtga tacaaagaaa acatatttta 300 tctgttctcc cccaaatcaa aagcactagc ttttttgcta ataccaactt tgtcatcatt 360 ccaaatgcca cccctatgaa ctctgccacc atcagcacta tgaccccagg acagatcaca 420 tacactgcta cttctaccaa gagtaacacc aaagaaagca gagattctgc cactgcctcg 480 ccaccaccag caccacctcc accaaacata ctgccaacac catcactgga gctagaggaa 540 gcagaagagc ag 552 67 209 DNA Homo sapiens 67 tagagtgttg gatggatgga cactgccggt tgttgtgcaa agatggtgaa gacagcatca 60 tacgctgccg aaatcgtaaa cggtgctgtg ttcctagtcg ttatttaaca atccaaccag 120 taacaattca tggaatcctt ggctggacca ctcctcagat gtccacaaca gctccaaaaa 180 tgaagacaaa tataactaat agatagaaa 209 68 338 DNA Homo sapiens 68 agcaaagctc atctctgccg tgctgcaggg aaccctattt ccttcccctg cagctcagcc 60 acctcctcct ctcaggtctg ccagccatga aacttcttta cctgtttctt gccatccttc 120 tggccataga agaaccagtg atatcaggca aacgccacat ccttcgatgc atgggtaaca 180 gtggaatttg tagggcctct tgcaaaaaga acgaacagcc ctacctctat tgcagaaatt 240 gtcagtcctg ctgcctccag tcctacatga ggataagcat ttctggcaaa gaggaaaata 300 ccgactggtc ttatgagaag cagtggccaa gactacct 338 69 148 DNA Homo sapiens 69 tgaattcaaa cggtgctgga agggtcaagg ggcctgccaa acttactgca caaggcaaga 60 aacttacatg cacctgtgcc cggatgcgtc cctgtgctgt ctctcctatg cattgaaacc 120 tccaccggtc cccaagcatg aatatgag 148 70 201 DNA Homo sapiens 70 ccttggaatc catgtgagct ttaccaaggc atgtgcagaa acgcctgcag agaatatgaa 60 atccaatact taacctgccc aaatgatcaa aagtgctgcc tgaaactttc tgtgaaaata 120 accagttcta aaaatgtgaa ggaggattac gactctaact ccaacttgtc agttacaaac 180 agttcaagct actctcacat t 201 71 118 DNA Homo sapiens 71 ccaaaaatct tgctggatca taaaaggaca ctgcaggaaa aactgcaaac ctggtgaaca 60 ggttaaaaag ccatgtaaaa atggtgacta ttgctgcatt ccaagcaaca cagattct 118 72 170 DNA Homo sapiens 72 atggatggat cagaaggtgc tattatggaa ctggcagatg caggaaatca tgcaaagaaa 60 ttgagaggaa gaaagaaaaa tgtggggaaa aacatatttg ctgtgtccct aaagaaaagg 120 ataaactatc acacattcac gaccaaaaag agacaagtga gctatatatc 170 73 159 DNA Homo sapiens 73 caatcctcct gccttggcct cccaaagtgc tggaattata ggtgtgagcc actgcacctg 60 gcctatgcct tttattgcct cctgcctacc tcctgctgtt tggaatgtga aagcaagact 120 ggagctctac cttggactat gaaaaacaag gacctcacc 159 74 216 DNA Homo sapiens 74 gggtcaaaat gtgtgagtaa caccccagga tactgcagga catgttgcca ctggggggag 60 acagcattgt tcatgtgcaa cgcttccaga aaatgctgca tcagctactc cttcctgccg 120 aagcctgacc taccacagct catcggtaac cactggcaat caaggagaag aaacacacaa 180 aggaaagaca agaagcaaca aacgaccgta acatca 216 75 405 DNA Homo sapiens 75 tttgaacccc aaaaatgttg gaagaataat gtaggacatt gcagaagacg atgtttagat 60 actgaaaggt acatacttct ttgtaggaac aagctatcat gctgcatttc tataatatca 120 catgaatata ctcgacgacc agcatttcct gtgattcacc tagaggatat aacattggat 180 tatagtgatg tggactcttt tactggttcc ccagtatcta tgttgaatga tctgataaca 240 tttgacacaa ctaaatttgg agaaaccatg acacctgaga ccaatactcc tgagactact 300 atgccaccat ctgaggccac tactcccgag actactatgc caccatctga gactgctact 360 tccgagacta tgccaccacc ttctcagaca gctcttactc ataat 405 76 219 DNA Homo sapiens 76 ctcaaaaaat gcttcaataa agtaacaggc tattgcagga agaaatgcaa ggtaggagaa 60 agatatgaaa taggatgtct aagtgggaaa ttatgttgtg ctaatgatga agaagagaaa 120 aaacatgtgt catttaagaa gccacatcaa cattctggtg agaagctgag tgtgctgcag 180 gattacatca tcttacccac catcaccatt ttcacagtc 219 77 333 DNA Homo sapiens 77 atgaagtccc tactgttcac ccttgcagtt tttatgctcc tggcccaatt ggtctcaggt 60 aattggtatg tgaaaaagtg tctaaacgac gttggaattt gcaagaagaa gtgcaaacct 120 gaagagatgc atgtaaagaa tggttgggca atgtgcggca aacaaaggga ctgctgtgtt 180 ccagctgaca gacgtgctaa ttatcctgtt ttctgtgtcc agacaaagac tacaagaatt 240 tcaacagtaa cagcaacaac agcaacaaca actttgatga tgactactgc ttcgatgtct 300 tcgatggctc ctacccccgt ttctcccact ggt 333 78 141 DNA Homo sapiens 78 attgaaacat gttggaattt tcgtggctcc tgccgtgacg aatgcctgaa gaatgaaagg 60 gtctatgttt tctgcgtgag tggtaaactg tgctgtttga agcccaagga ccagccacat 120 ttaccacagc atataaagaa t 141 

1. Peptides having the following amino acid sequence: Z_(N)-C-X_(m-X) ₁-X-C-X₂-X_(n)-C-X-X-X-X₃-X_(o)-C-X_(p)-C-C-Z_(C) wherein Z_(N) is an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, Z_(C) is an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids; X=an arbitrary amino acid; X_(m)=3-6 arbitrary amino acids; X_(n)=2-3 amino acids; X_(o)=5-9 amino acids; X_(p)=4-6 amino acids; X₁=G, A or P; X₂=R, K, W, Q or A; X₃=E or H.
 2. The peptide according to claim 1 having the amino acid sequence Z_(N2)-CRVRGGRCAVLSCLPKEEQIGKCSTRGRKCC-Z_(C2) wherein Z_(N2) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue IINTLQKYY and its N-terminally truncated fragments, and Z_(C2) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue RRKK and its C-terminally truncated fragments.
 3. The peptide according to claim 1 having the amino acid sequence (bb) hBD-6 Z_(N3)-CGYGTARCRKKCRSQEYRIGRCPNTYACC-Z_(C3) wherein Z_(N3) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue EFELDRI and its N-terminally truncated fragments, and Z_(C3) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue LRKWDESLLNRTKP and its C-terminally truncated fragments.
 4. The peptide according to claim 1 having the amino acid sequence (cc) hBD-7 Z_(N4)-CRRSEGFCQEYCNYMETQVGYCSKKKDACC-Z_(C4) wherein Z_(N4) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue LKVVD and its N-terminally truncated fragments, and Z_(C4) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue LH.
 5. The peptide according to claim 1 having the amino acid sequence (dd)hBD-8 Z_(N5)-CKLGRGKCRKECLENEKPDGNCRPLNFLCC-Z_(C5) wherein Z_(N5) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue EFAVCES and its N-terminally truncated fragments, and Z_(C5) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue RQRI and its C-terminally truncated fragments.
 6. The peptide according to claim 1 having the amino acid sequence (ee) hBD-10 Z_(N7)-CHMQQGICRLFFCHSGEKKRGICSDPWNRCC-Z_(C7) wherein Z_(N7) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue NTI and its N-terminally truncated fragments, and Z_(C7) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue VSNTDEEGKEKPEMD and its C-terminally truncated fragments.
 7. The peptide according to claim 1 having the amino acid sequence (ff) hBD-11 Z_(N8)-CERPNGSCRDFCLETEIHVGRCLNSRPCC-Z_(C8) wherein Z_(N8) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue GKFKEI and its N-terminally truncated fragments, and Z_(C8) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue LPLGHQPRIEST and its C-terminally truncated fragments.
 8. The peptide according to claim 1 having the amino acid sequence (gg)hBD-12 Z_(N9)-CNKLKGTCKNNCGKNEELIALCQKSLKCC-Z_(C9) wherein Z_(N9) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue NAFFDEK and its N-terminally truncated fragments, and Z_(C9) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue RTIQP and its C-terminally truncated fragments.
 9. The peptide according to claim 1 having the amino acid sequence (hh)hBD-13 Z_(N10)-CLNLSGVCRRDVCKVVEDQIGACRRRMKCC-Z_(C10) wherein Z_(N10) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue DLGPVEGH and its N-terminally truncated fragments, and Z_(C10) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue RTWWIL and its C-terminally truncated fragments.
 10. The peptide according to claim 1 having the amino acid sequence (ii) hBD-14 Z_(N11)-CWGKSGRCRTTCKESEVYYILCKTEAKCC-Z_(C11) wherein Z_(N11) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue EVMK and its N-terminally truncated fragments, and Z_(C11) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue VDPKYVPVKPKL and its C-terminally truncated fragments.
 11. The peptide according to claim 1 having the amino acid sequence (jj)hBD-15 Z_(N12)-CWNFRGSCRDECLKNERVYVFCVSGKLCC-Z_(C12) wherein Z_(N12) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue RIET and its N-terminally truncated fragments, and Z_(C12) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue LKPKDQPHLPQHIKN and its C-terminally truncated fragments.
 12. The peptide according to claim 1 having the amino acid sequence (kk)hBD-16 Z_(N13)-CWNNYVQGHCRKICRVNEVPEALCENGRYCC-Z_(C13) wherein Z_(N13) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue TEQLKK and its N-terminally truncated fragments, and Z_(C13) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue LNIKELEA and its C-terminally truncated fragments.
 13. The peptide according to claim 1 having the amino acid sequence (II) hBD-17 Z_(N14)-CWNLYGKCRYRCSKKERVYVYCINNKMCC-Z_(C14) wherein Z_(N14) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue TPGGTQR and its N-terminally truncated fragments, and Z_(C14) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue VKPKYQPKERWWPF and its C-terminally truncated fragments.
 14. The peptide according to claim 1 having the amino acid sequence (mm)hBD-18 Z_(N15)-CWNRSGHCRKQCKDGEAVKDTCKNLRACC-Z_(C15) wherein Z_(N15) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue PAYSGEKK and its N-terminally truncated fragments, and Z_(C15) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue IPSNEDHRRV and its C-terminally truncated fragments.
 15. The peptide according to claim 1 having the amino acid sequence (nn)hBD-19 Z_(N16)-CLMGLGRCRDHCNVDEKEIQKCKMKKCC-Z_(C16) wherein Z_(N16) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue FIGLRR and its N-terminally truncated fragments, and Z_(C16) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue VGPKVVKLIK and its C-terminally truncated fragments.
 16. The peptide according to claim 1 having the amino acid sequence (oo)hBD-20 Z_(N17)-CWMDGHCRLLCKDGEDSIIRCRNPRKRCC-Z_(C17) wherein Z_(N17) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue VE, and Z_(C17) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue VPSR and its C-terminally truncated fragments.
 17. The peptide according to claim 1 having the amino acid sequence (pp)hBD-22 Z_(N19)-CMGNSGICRASCKKNEQPYLYCRNCQSCC-Z_(C19) wherein Z_(N19) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue HILR and its N-terminally truncated fragments, and Z_(C19) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue LQSYMR and its C-terminally truncated fragments.
 18. The peptide according to claim 1 having the amino acid sequence (qq)hBD-23 Z_(N20)-CWKGQGACQTYCTRQETYMHLCPDASLCC-Z_(C20) wherein Z_(N20) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue EFKR and its N-terminally truncated fragments, and Z_(C20) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue LSYALK and its C-terminally truncated fragments.
 19. The peptide according to claim 1 having the amino acid sequence (rr)hBD-24 Z_(N21)-CELYQGMCRNACREYEIQYLTCPNDQKCC-Z_(C21) wherein Z_(N21) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue PWNP and its N-terminally truncated fragments, and Z_(C21) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue LKLSVK and its C-terminally truncated fragments.
 20. The peptide according to claim 1 having the amino acid sequence (ss)hBD-25 Z_(N22)-CWIIKGHCRKNCKPGEQVKKPCKNGDYCC-Z_(C22) wherein Z_(N22) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue QKS and its N-terminally truncated fragments, and Z_(C22) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue IPSNTDS and its C-terminally truncated fragments.
 21. The peptide according to claim 1 having the amino acid sequence (tt)hBD-26 Z_(N23)-CYYGTGRCRKSCKEIERKKEKCGEKHICC-Z_(C23) wherein Z_(N23) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue GWIRR and its N-terminally truncated fragments, and Z_(C23) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue VPKEKDK and its C-terminally truncated fragments.
 22. The peptide according to claim 1 having the amino acid sequence (uu)hBD-27 Z_(N24)-CLGLPKCWNYRCEPLHLAYAFYCLLPTSCC-Z_(C24) wherein Z_(N24) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue QSS and its N-terminally truncated fragments, and Z_(C24) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue LE.
 23. The peptide according to claim 1 having the amino acid sequence (vv)hBD-28 Z_(N25)-CVSNTPGYCRTCCHWGETALFMCNASRKCC-Z_(C25) wherein Z_(N25) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue GSK and its N-terminally truncated fragments, and Z_(C25) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue ISYSFLPK.
 24. The peptide according to claim 1 having the amino acid sequence (ww)hBD-29 Z_(N26)-CWKNNVGHCRRRCLDTERYILLCRNKLSCC-Z_(C26) wherein Z_(N26) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue FEPQK and its N-terminally truncated fragments, and Z_(C6) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue ISIISHEY.
 25. The peptide according to claim 1 having the amino acid sequence (xx)hBD-30 Z_(N27)-CFNKVTGYCRKKCKVGERYEIGCLSGKLCC-Z_(C27) wherein Z_(N27) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue LKK and its N-terminally truncated fragments, and Z_(C27) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue ANDEEEK.
 26. The peptide according to claim 1 having the amino acid sequence (yy)hBD-31 Z_(N28)-CLNDVGICKKKCKPEEMHVKNGWAMCGKQRDCC-Z_(C28) wherein Z_(N28) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue WYVKK and its N-terminally truncated fragments, and Z_(C28) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue VPADR.
 27. The peptide according to claim 1 having the amino acid sequence (zz) hBD-32 Z_(N29)-CWNFRGSCRDECLKNERVYVFCVSGKLCC-Z_(C29) wherein Z_(N29) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue IET and its N-terminally truncated fragments, and Z_(C29) represents an amino acid residue or peptide residue of up to 30 amino acids, especially the peptide residue LK.
 28. The peptides according to any of claims 1 to 27, wherein said peptides are the cyclic, amidated, acetylated, sulfated, phosphorylated, glycosylated and oxidized derivatives as well as peptide fragments derived from the above described amino acid sequences and having a similar biological activity.
 29. A method for preparing the defensin peptides or their derivatives and fragments according to at least one of claims 1 to 28, characterized in that they are prepared by prokaryotic or eukaryotic expression and purified.
 30. The method according to claim 29, characterized in that the peptides are isolated from human blood in a known way by per se known usual chromatographic methods.
 31. The method according to claim 29, characterized in that the defensin peptides or their derivatives are prepared by the usual methods of chemical solid-phase and liquid-phase peptide synthesis from the protected amino acids which are contained in the stated sequences according to at least one of claims 1 to 28, deblocked and purified by per se known methods.
 32. A medicament containing one or more of the defensin peptides or their derivatives or fragments according to at least one of claims 1 to 28 as an active ingredient in addition to usual auxiliary agents and additives.
 33. Use of one or more of the defensin peptides or their derivatives or fragments according to at least one of claims 1 to 28 for the treatment of diseases arising from the bacterial colonization of organs.
 34. Use of one or more of the defensin peptides or their derivatives or fragments according to at least one of claims 1 to 28 for the treatment of diseases of the human organism, especially those involving the gastrointestinal tract, the respiratory paths and the urogenital apparatus.
 35. Use of one or more of the defensin peptides or their derivatives or fragments according to at least one of claims 1 to 28 for the treatment of diseases of the human organism, especially those involving the integument and its appendage glands.
 36. Use of one or more of the defensin peptides or their derivatives or fragments according to at least one of claims 1 to 28 for the treatment of systemic diseases when there is an overproduction of or deficiency in the defensin peptides, especially by antibodies formed against the defensin peptides, or for use of the defensin peptides according to at least one of claims 1 to 28 for substitution therapy.
 37. Use of one or more of the defensin peptides or their derivatives or fragments according to at least one of claims 1 to 28 for the treatment of chronic diseases which are in part associated with diseases according to claims 33 to 36 by using them in an appropriate form for the treatment.
 38. Use of one or more of the defensin peptides or their derivatives or fragments according to at least one of claims 1 to 28 for the treatment of acute diseases according to claims 33 to 37 by using them in an appropriate form for the treatment in the intensive care of such diseases.
 39. Use of one or more of the defensin peptides or their derivatives or fragments according to at least one of claims 1 to 28 for the treatment of fertility disorders, especially in diseases involving oocyte-related spermatic penetration disorders and implantation disorders as well as maturation disorders in the male reproduction apparatus, and as a contraceptive.
 40. Use of one or more of the defensin peptides or their derivatives or fragments according to at least one of claims 1 to 28 for the diagnosis of diseases, especially those according to claims 33 to 39, by preparing specific antibodies against one or more of the defensin peptides according to at least one of claims 1 to 28 or their derivatives or fragments and measuring the blood concentration of one or more of the defensin peptides according to any of claims 1 to 28 by immunological methods.
 41. Use of one or more of the defensin peptides or their derivatives or fragments according to at least one of claims 1 to 28 in different galenic dosage forms, especially in a lyophilized form taken up with mannitol in sterile ampoules for dissolution in physiological saline and/or infusion solutions for repeated singular injection and/or permanent infusion in amounts of from 300 micrograms to 300 milligrams of one or more of the defensin peptides according to claim 1 per therapy unit.
 42. Use of the gene probes and genes derived from the defensin peptides according to at least one of claims 1 to 28 for the topical and systemic gene therapy of the indications according to any of claims 33 to 39 in epithelial tissues and organs.
 43. A nucleic acid sequence coding for one or more of the defensin peptides or their derivatives or fragments according to at least one of claims 1 to
 28. 44. A nucleic acid sequence having the sequence ATGAGGATCCATTATCTTCTGTTTGCTTTGCTCTTCCTGTTTTTGGTGCC TGTTCCAGGTCATGGAGGAATCATAAACACATTACAGAAATATTATTGCA TGTTGAGTCAGAGGCGGCCGGTGTGCTGTGCTCAGCTGCCTTCCAAAGGAGGAA CAGATCGGCAAGTGCTCGACGCGTGGCCGAAAATGCTGCCGAAGAAAGAA A

coding for the defensin peptide hBD-5.
 45. A nucleic acid sequence having the sequence CGAATTTGAATTGGACAGAATATGTGGTTATGGGACTGCCCGTTGCCGGA AGAAATGTCGCAGCCAAGAATACAGAATTGGAAGATGTCCCAACACCTAT GCATGCTGTTTGAGAAAATGGGATGAGAGCTTACTGAATCGTACAAA ACCC

coding for the defensin peptide hBD-6.
 46. A nucleic acid sequence having the sequence ATTTAAAAGTTGTTGACTGCAGGAGAAGTGAAGGCTTCTGCCAAGAATAC TGTAATTATATGGAAACACAAGTAGGCTACTGCTCTAAAAAGAAAGACGC CTGCTGTTTACATTAAAACTGATGTTGC

coding for the defensin peptide hBD-7.
 47. A nucleic acid sequence having the sequence TTTGCTGTCTGTGAGTCGTGCAAGCTTGGTCGGGGAAAATGCAGGAAGGA GTGCTTGGAGAATGAGAAGCCCGATGGAAATTGCAGGCTGAACTTTCTCT GCTGCAGACAGAGGATC

coding for the defensin peptide hBD-8.
 48. A nucleic acid sequence having the sequence AAATACCATCTGCCGTATGCAGCAAGGGATCTGCAGACTTTTTTTCTGCC ATTCTGGTGAGAAAAAGCGTGACATTTGCTCTGATCCCTGGAATAGGTGT TGCGTATCAAATACAGATGAAGAAGGAAAAGAGAAACCAGAGATGGATGG CAGATCTGGGATCTAAAATATAAGCTCCC

coding for the defensin peptide hBD-10.
 49. A nucleic acid sequence having the sequence AGGGGAGCGGGCTACTCACCTCCAGCCTTTTGTCATCCAGGGGCAAATTC AAGGAGATCTGTGAACGTCCAAATGGCTCCTGTCGGGACTTTTGCCTCGA AACAGAAATCCATGTTGGGAGATGTTTAAATAGCCGACCCTGCTGCCTGC CTCTGGGGCATCAACCAAGAATTGAGAGCACTACACCCAAAAAGGAC

coding for the defensin peptide hBD-11.
 50. A nucleic acid sequence having the sequence CTCAAGACCCACCCCAGTCATGAGGACTTTCCCTTTTCTCTTTGCCGTGC TCTTCTTTCTGACCCCAGCCAAGAATGCATTTTTTGATGAGAAATGCAAC AAACTTAAAGGGACATGCAAGAACAATTGCGGGAAAAATGAAGAACTTAT TGCTCTCTGCCAGAAGTCTCTGAAATGCTGTCGGACCATCCAGCCATGTG GGAGCATTATAGAT

coding for the defensin peptide hBD-12.
 51. A nucleic acid sequence having the sequence GTGATTTGGGTCCTGTGGAAGGTCATTGTCTCAATTTGTCTGGTGTTTGC AGAAGAGATGTCTGCAAAGTAGTAGAAGATCAAATTGGTGCCTGCCGAAG AAGGATGAAGTGTTGTAGAACATGGTGGATTTTAATGCCAATTCCAACAC CACTTATCATGTCAGATTATCAAGAACCCCTTAAACATAAGTTGAAA

coding for the defensin peptide hBD-13.
 52. A nucleic acid sequence having the sequence GAAGTCATGAAATGTTGGGGCAAGTCAGGCAGGTGCAGAACAACATGTAA AGAAAGTGAAGTATACTATATATTATGCAAAACTGAGGCTAAGTGCTGTG TGGATCCCAAGTATGTACCTGTAAAACCAAAATTAACAGACACAAATACA AGCCTGGAATCAACTTCTGCAGTCTGACACCTCTCTTCCAACCTTGAGTC TCAACATCATGGGATCCTGCAGTTCTAT

coding for the defensin peptide hBD-14.
 53. A nucleic acid sequence having the sequence GCAGGATTGAAACATGTTGGAATTTTCGTGGCTCCTGCCGTGACGAATGC CTGAAGAATGAAAGGGTCTATGTTTTCTGCGTGAGTGGTAAACTGTGCTG TTTGAAGCCCAAGGACCAGCCACATTTACCACAGCATATAAAGAAT

coding for the defensin peptide hBD-15.
 54. A nucleic acid sequence having the sequence TGAGGAAGGTAGCATAGTGTGCAGTTCACTGGACCAAAAGCTTTGGCTGC ACCTCTTCTGGAAAGCTGGCCATGGGGTCTTCATGATCATTGCAATTCTG CTGTTCCAGAAACCCACAGTAACCGAACAACTTAAGAAGTGCTGGAATAA CTATGTACAAGGACATTGCAGGAAAATCTGCAGAGTAAATGAAGTGCCTG AGGCACTATGTGAAAATGGGAGATACTGTTGCCTCAATATCAAGGAACTG GAAGCATGTAAAAAAATTACAAAGCCACCTCGTCCAAAGCCAGCAACACT TGCACTGACTCTTCAAGACTATGTTACAATAATAGAAAATTTCCCAAGCC TGAAGACACAGTCTACA

coding for the defensin peptide hBD-16.
 55. A nucleic acid sequence having the sequence GGACTTGCAGCTTCATTTTGGGCTGCCTTAGCCATGAAGCTCCTTTTGCT GACTTTGACTGTGCTGCTGCTCTTATCCCAGCTGACTCCAGGTGGCACCC AAAGATGCTGGAATCTTTATGGCAAATGCCGTTACAGATGCTCCAAGAAG GAAAGAGTCTATGTTTACTGCATAAATAATAAAATGTGCTGCGTGAAGCC CAAGTACCAGCCAAAAGAAAGGTGGTGGCCATTT

coding for the defensin peptide hBD-17.
 56. A nucleic acid sequence having the sequence TTCCCAAGGACCATGAAACTCCTGCTGCTGGCTCTTCCTATGCTTGTGCT CCTACCCCAAGTGATCCCAGCCTATAGTGGTGAAAAAAAATGCTGGAACA GATCAGGGCACTGCAGGAAACAATGCAAAGATGGAGAAGCAGTGAAAGAT ACATGCAAAAATCTTCGAGCTTGCTGCATTCCATCCAATGAAGACCACAG GCGAGTTCCTGCGACATCTCCCACACCCTTGAGTGACTCAACACCAGGAA TTATTGATGATATTTTAACAGTAAGGTTCACGACAGACTACTTTGAAGTA AGCAGCAAGAAAGATATGGTTGAAGAGTCTGAGGCGGGAAGGGGAACTGA GACCTCTCTTCCAAATGTTCACCATAGCTCA

coding for the defensin peptide hBD-18.
 57. A nucleic acid sequence having the sequence ACCATGAAGCTCCTTTTTCCTATCTTTGCCAGCCTCATGCTACAGTACCA GGTGAACACAGAATTTATTGGCTTGAGACGCTGTTTAATGGGTTTGGGGA GATGCAGGGATCACTGCAATGTGGATGAAAAAGAGATACAGAAATGCAAG ATGAAAAAATGTTGTGTTGGACCAAAAGTGGTTAAATTGATTAAAAACTA CCTACAATATGGAACACCAAATGTACTTAATGAAGACGTCCAAGAAATGC TAAAACCTGCCAAGAATTCTAGTGCTGTGATACAAAGAAAACATATTTTA TCTGTTCTCCCCCAAATCAAAAGCACTAGCTTTTTTGCTAATACCAACTT TGTCATCATTCCAAATGCCACCCCTATGAACTCTGCCACCATCAGCACTA TGACCCCAGGACAGATCACATACACTGCTACTTCTACCAAGAGTAACACC AAAGAAAGCAGAGATTCTGCCACTGCCTCGCCACCACCAGCACCACCTCC ACCAAACATACTGCCAACACCATCACTGGAGCTAGAGGAAGCAGAAGAGC AG

coding for the defensin peptide hBD-19.
 58. A nucleic acid sequence having the sequence TAGAGTGTTGGATGGATGGACACTGCCGGTTGTTGTGCAAAGATGGTGAA GACAGCATCATACGCTGCCGAAATCGTAAACGGTGCTGTGTTCCTAGTCG TTATTTAACAATCCAACCAGTAACAATTCATGGAATCCTTGGCTGGACCA CTCCTCAGATGTCCACAACAGCTCCAAAAATGAAGACAAATATAACTAAT AGATAGAAA

coding for the defensin peptide hBD-20.
 59. A nucleic acid sequence having the sequence AGCAAAGCTCATCTCTGCCGTGCTGCAGGGACCCTATTTCCTTCCCCTGC AGCTCAGCCACCTCCTCCTCTCAGGTCTGCCAGCCATGAAACTTCTTTAC CTGTTTCTTGCCATCCTTCTGGCCATAGAAGAACCAGTGATATCAGGCAA ACGCCACATCCTTCGATGCATGGGTAACAGTGGAATTTGTAGGGCCTCTT GCAAAAAGAACGAACAGCCCTACCTCTATTGCAGAAATTGTCAGTCCTGC TGCCTCCAGTCCTACATGAGGATAAGCATTTCTGGCAAAGAGGAAAATAC CGACTGGTCTTATGAGAAGCAGTGGCCAAGACTACCT

coding for the defensin peptide hBD-22.
 60. A nucleic acid sequence having the sequence TGAATTCAAACGGTGCTGGAAGGGTCAAGGGGCCTGCCAAACTTACTGCA CAAGGCAAGAAACTTACATGCACCTGTGCCCGGATGCGTCCCTGTGCTGT CTCTCCTATGCATTGAAACCTCCACCGGTCCCCAAGCATGAATATGAG

coding for the defensin peptide hBD-23.
 61. A nucleic acid sequence having the sequence CCTTGGAATCCATGTGAGCTTTACCAAGGCATGTGCAGAAACGCCTGCAG AGAATATGAAATCCAATACTTAACCTGCCCAAATGATCAAAAGTGCTGCC TGAAACTTTCTGTGAAAATAACCAGTTCTAAAAATGTGAAGGAGGATTAC GACTCTAACTCCAACTTGTCAGTTACAAACAGTTCAAGCTACTCTCACAT T

coding for the defensin peptide hBD-24.
 62. A nucleic acid sequence having the sequence CCAAAAATCTTGCTGGATCATAAAAGGACACTGCAGGAAAAACTGCAAAC CTGGTGAACAGGTTAAAAAGCCATGTAAAAATGGTGACTATTGCTGCATT CCAAGCAACACAGATTCT

coding for the defensin peptide hBD-25.
 63. A nucleic acid sequence having the sequence ATGGATGGATCAGAAGGTGCTATTATGGAACTGGCAGATGCAGGAAATCA TGCAAAGAAATTGAGAGGAAGAAAGAAAAATGTGGGGAAAAACATATTTG CTGTGTCCCTAAAGAAAAGGATAAACTATCACACATTCACGACCAAAAAG AGACAAGTGAGCTATATATC

coding for the defensin peptide hBD-26.
 64. A nucleic acid sequence having the sequence CAATCCTCCTGCCTTGGCCTCCCAAAGTGCTGGAATTATAGGTGTGAGCC ACTGCACCTGGCCTATGCCTTTTATTGCCTCCTGCCTACCTCCTGCTGTT TGGAATGTGAAAGCAAGACTGGAGCTCTACCTTGGACTATGAAAAACAAG GACCTCACC

coding for the defensin peptide hBD-27.
 65. A nucleic acid sequence having the sequence GGGTCAAAATGTGTGAGTAACACCCCAGGATACTGCAGGACATGTTGCCA CTGGGGGGAGACAGCATTGTTCATGTGCAACGCTTCCAGAAAATGCTGCA TCAGCTACTCCTTCCTGCCGAAGCCTGACCTACCACAGCTCATCGGTAAC CACTGGCAATCAAGGAGAAGAAACACACAAAGGAAAGACAAGAAGCAACA AACGACCGTAACATCA

coding for the defensin peptide hBD-28.
 66. A nucleic acid sequence having the sequence TTTGAACCCCAAAAATGTTGGAAGAATAATGTAGGACATTGCAGAAGACG ATGTTTAGATACTGAAAGGTACATACTTCTTTGTAGGAACAAGCTATCAT GCTGCATTTCTATAATATCACATGAATATACTCGACGACCAGCATTTCCT GTGATTCACCTAGAGGATATAACATTGGATTATAGTGATGTGGACTCTTT TACTGGTTCCCCAGTATCTATGTTGAATGATCTGATAACATTTGACACAA CTAAATTTGGAGAAACCATGACACCTGAGACCAATACTCCTGAGACTACT ATGCCACCATCTGAGGCCACTACTCCCGAGACTACTATGCCACCATCTGA GACTGCTACTTCCGAGACTATGCCACCACCTTCTCAGACAGCTCTTACTC ATAAT

coding for the defensin peptide hBD-29.
 67. A nucleic acid sequence having the sequence CTCAAAAAATGCTTCAATAAAGTAACAGGCTATTGCAGGAAGAAATGCAA GGTAGGAGAAAGATATGAAATAGGATGTCTAAGTGGGAAATTATGTTGTG CTAATGATGAAGAAGAGAAAAAACATGTGTCATTTAAGAAGCCACATCAA CATTCTGGTGAGAAGCTGAGTGTGCTGCAGGATTACATCATCTTACCCAC CATCACCATTTTCACAGTC

coding for the defensin peptide hBD-30.
 68. A nucleic acid sequence having the sequence ATGAAGTCCCTACTGTTCACCCTTGCAGTTTTTATGCTCCTGGCCCAATT GGTCTCAGGTAATTGGTATGTGAAAAAGTGTCTAAACGACGTTGGAATTT GCAAGAAGAAGTGCAAACCTGAAGAGATGCATGTAAAGAATGGTTGGGCA ATGTGCGGCAAACAAAGGGACTGCTGTGTTCCAGCTGACAGACGTGCTAA TTATCCTGTTTTCTGTGTCCAGACAAAGACTACAAGAATTTCAACAGTAA CAGCAACAACAGCAACAACAACTTTGATGATGACTACTGCTTCGATGTCT TCGATGGCTCCTACCCCCGTTTCTCCCACTGGT

coding for the defensin peptide hBD-31.
 69. A nucleic acid sequence having the sequence ATTGAAACATGTTGGAATTTTCGTGGCTCCTGCCGTGACGAATGCCTGAA GAATGAAAGGGTCTATGTTTTCTGCGTGAGTGGTAAACTGTGCTGTTTGA AGCCCAAGGACCAGCCACATTTACCACAGCATATAAAGAAT

coding for the defensin peptide hBD-32. 